BELFAST PARKS and RECREATION Belfast has many beautiful parks, green spaces and opportunities for fun and recreation. Arts in the Park in July and our new Dog Park are just two suggestions. Link to The Friends of Belfast Parks website for more information.

Arts in the Park

OPEN GARDEN DAYS Belfast Garden Club's fourth annual series of summer garden tours start May 22, and continue until mid-September. Most of the 16 gardens have never been opened for a tour before and, according to chairwoman Gina Fry, they are remarkably varied. This year about half the gardens are outside Belfast, in surrounding towns - Jackson, Thorndike, Freedom, Searsport, Waldo.
Again this year, the club's Open Garden Days are scheduled only on Fridays. Each garden will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Many of the gardeners plan to serve lemonade, iced tea or more extensive refreshments. At a few, poets and painters will be on site and at work. One gardener invited young violinists to play throughout the afternoon.
A single tour ticket costs $3 (suggested donation). A five-visit ticket for $10 is available from club members, at Brambles, Aubuchon Hardware and at each tour.
For a list of all the gardens on tour this year look for the Open Garden Days flyers at the library, the Visitors Center, local B&Bs, nurseries, and on the club's website.
Brochures and maps showing the locations of the gardens are available at Post Office Square inside the decorative bird house the club has provided there.

The 14TH ANNUAL ARTS IN THE PARK takes place on the weekend of July 11 and 12, 2009 in Heritage Park on Belfast's beautiful harborfront. The event features 80 fine artists and artisans displaying and selling a wide variety of wares - from pottery, paintings, fibre-art, metalwork, photography to whimisical bird-houses, woven clothing and other fun, fine and funky items.
In addition to the artists who will be there from 10-5 on Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday, we have a terrific selection of musicians who will perform throughout both days. Come for the day, come for the weekend - you'll even be able to find a great variety of delicious food.
Go to our website for more information.
You will find details about all of the above, including a full list of the artists. Arts in the Park is the chief fundraising vehicle for Friends of Belfast Parks, a public, non-profit group dedicated to supporting Belfast's nine public parks and the new dog park.

The Third Annual CELTIC FESTIVAL - July 17 - 19, 2009 This is a 3 day celebration of music, kilts, parades, contests, kilts, food, fun, and, oh did I mention kilts? Link to their website for more information.

The BELFAST MARITIME HERITAGE FESTIVAL - July 25, 2009
* ComeBoating will be running rows and races on Belfast Harbor.
* Jim Bell with Parks & Recreation will be coordinating an old fashioned Mackerel Tournament, a winner take all event for the biggest fish of the day.
* The Penobscot Marine Museum is again on hand with exhibits and educational programming.
* New to the mix this year is additional programming supported by The Belfast Historical Society.

The day will also include 30-50 small boats on display in Heritage Park providing attendees the opportunity to talk with local boat builders and craftsman. The Small Boat Show is open to hobbyist, professionals and commercial vendors to strut their stuff. Boat building demonstrations are also on tap.
Family fun, food and entertainment will add to the day. Harbor sounds, and music will be provided by street musicians and local "buskers." For more information about your participation or to exhibit contact the Chamber of Commerce.

Mark your calendars for Saturday July 25th for the annual Belfast Maritime Heritage Festival billed to be "a great day of small boats."